Method and means for cigar bunching



1925 a. uBeRMA-N IIBTHOD ANDAIEANS FOR CIGAR BUNCHING a 'l @Il amm/Afl.

Filed Dec. 6, 1920 i il Inventor: elhrdflbermrg .lorngy B. LIBERMAN METHOD AND MEANS FOR- CVIGAR VBUNCIING Filed Dec. el 1920 :slsneets-snnt z a9 I l? w e7 mi Paf ,Bernardlrbermdrg n P r l v I l I B.. LIBERMAN ruon :um xmms Fon cmmuscume oct. 13,1925.- y '1,556,619

Filed Dec. 6, 1'9'20 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ernarLLZerman/g "l I l *3:7 gaar- Patented Oct. 13, `1925.

UNITED STATES BERNARD LIBERMAN, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD AND MEANS FOR CIGAR BUNCHING'.

Application led December 6, 1920. Serial No. 428,547.

To all whom t may conce/m.'

Be it known that I, BERNARD LIBERMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Method and Means for Cigar Bunching, of which the following is a speciiication. a

My invention relates to cigar bunching. The object is to provideimproved method and means for operating upon the bi-nder so that the same shall be properly stretched and smoothed while being rolled about the filler, but in such manner that the binder shall not be unduly stretched, torn or otherwise injured during said operation.

In order properly to understand and appreciate the invention, it should be borne in mind that the binder comprises a portion of a slightly moistened or damp tobacco leaf. It may be of one or more ply. In texture this binder is to a Vcertain extent porous and fragile. Undue strains or pres` sures will break Vor tear it. It is therefore very important that, in rolling this binder, .about the filler, itshould have all wrinkles removed therefrom,'without subjecting `any part thereof to a greater te-nsion than it will safely stand.

Itis well known that even in drawing the binder gently between the fingers of the y operator, in order to smooth out the wrinkles, it is not always possible to avoid tearing the same. n

I have found that this diiiiculty can be almost entirely eliminated by drawing the binder between the roller, or to be exact, be-

tween the portion of the apron which suryrounds the roller, and the ends ofthe bristles or hairs of/a comparatively, soft brush, the engagingsurface of which extends parallel with the roller. This is because the individual ends of the bristles, each exerts a yielding and independently movable pressure on that particular part of the leaf with' which it contacts. The result is, a. progressive and gradual operation of ,successive bristles, vwhere necessary, upon a wrinkle or unevenness in the binder; this eliminates undue stresses upon any part of the leaf, andv at the same time Vsecures a maximum of smoothness as the binder 1s rolled uponthe filler.

.In the use of the word bristle, I wish to include anysimilarmaterial such as hair or other substance omrrlsmg a vnunfllfyer of strands or filaments, thel aggregate of which y has Lan independently movable yielding orV resilient action upon the texture of the leaf, while at the same time the several succeeding bristles have a gradual, progressive' and cumulative action upon any particular point of difficulty on the leaf. It should also be noted that, in View of the extremely yielding and resilient action of the smoothing element, a binder, either of single ply or of multiple ply may be used with satisfactory results.

The invention also comprises the method and means whereby the brushis carried, guided and positioned so that the individual bristles will be directed toward the binder L at the required or most effective angle.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate merely by way vof example, suitable means for effecting my invention, and also in a diagrammatic waythe method of operation ,Fig. l is a side elevation partly in section of mechanism for effecting the invention.

Fig. 2 isa plan View of same.

Fie- 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section on same line as Fig. 3, with parts in different position.v

Fig.

Figs, 6 toV 10 inclusive, are diagrammatic views showing 'the progressive steps in the bunching operation.

Similar numerals refer to different parts throughout the several views.

The general construction and operation of the machine is similar to that shown in my co-pending application ySerial, VNo.

315.000 filed AugtQnd, 1919, and no claim,v

is made herein for such general construction and operation except that part which relates to the brush, its operation and functions.

TheV bunch rolling table 1 5 is supported Fig. 3 is a section? on the line 3-3 ofv Fig. 5 isa cross-,section on line A5 5 of '.011 any Suitable frameset as .16, and iSvPrQ-vvided wit-hlthev slide rods 1'7 uponV which is slidably mounted the carriage 18 carrying the arms 19 having the slots 20 in which are adjustabl-y secured the ends ot the roller journal 2.1. This carriage 18 is connected with any suitable actuating means `for causing its reciprocation upon the slide rods 17. The usual bunching apron 22 is connected or secured at each end to the table 15 by any suitable means as indicated. The table 15 is also provided with a transversely arranged trough or pocket 28 for receiving the apron and ller in the manner well lrnown in the art.

A long narrow brush 24 is provided having its engaging edge extending parallel with the roller 25, and approximately the same length as the roller. This brush 24 has a body portion 26 which is adjustably connected to the frame 27 having side arms 28 provided at their lower extensions with pivots 29, extending into slots 3() provided in the ends ot brackets 31 extending downwardly from the carriage 18. Springs 32 are connected at one end of each to an arm 28, at the. other end to an arm 19fsubstantially as indicated. Stops 3i are threaded, or otherwise adjustably connected, with arms 19 tor engaging the side-arms 28 or projections such as 34C therefrom, and projections or pins are provided on the carriage 18, for engaging said side arms 28.

The method, or operation of bunching according to the present invention is as tollows In the initial position the brush 2-land roller 25 are brought into the relative positions shown in Figs. 3 and, with the front edge of the brush projecting close to the margin of the pocket 23. In the present example where an automatic filler charging device is used, the binder 36 is laid across the brush 24;, with its end extending onto the part of the apron 22 which lies over the pocket or trough 23. The charging Ytunnel 37 is then depressed into the position shown in Fig. 7. This carries the apron 22 down to the bottom ot the pocket and also carries the end of the binder 36 down-into one side ot the pocket as shown. The plunger 38 then forces the filler 39 out of the charging` tunnel 7,v as the tunnel is elevated out of pocket 23 leaving the filler therein. By actuating the carriage 18 the roller and brushthen comeY into the positions shown. in Fig. 8, that is, the position in .which brush and roller meet over the middle of the trough or pocket; the brush carrying the binder with-it and the roller carryinw the apron, so that the binder and apron entirely enclose the iller within the pocket;

It might be noted here that in the position shown in Fig. 3, the brush and roller are kept apart to permit the introduction of the filler, between the two, into lthepocket 23. rlhis is accomplished by the construction shown in this figure. The arms 28 are rigid with the trame 27 carrying the brush body 26. rFhe arms 28 are held in the position shown in this figure, against the tension ot springs 32 by the engagement ot the arms 28, against the pins 35 projecting from the table' 15.- VVhen the arms 19 move toward the lett, the pivot pins 29 move upwardly to the right hand end of slots 30, and then, as the carriage 18, moves further tothe lett, the arms 28, respondingto the pull et springs 32, (the pins 35 'being relatively withdrawn) move in the clockwise direction, causing an elevation and tilting ot the brush into the position shown in Fig. 4l, with lthe arms 28 or Athe projections 34 thereof resting against the stops 33 ou arms 19. .fi-rnd this is the approxi-mate relative position maintained by the brush with respect to the roller throughout vthe balance ot' their reciprocating movements, except that the brush is tilted slightly more in the later positions, as in Figs. 9 and 10.

As the bunch moves to the opposite side of the roller from the brush, vthe brush assumes a more truly wiping position, which is the ideal position Jfor best etliciency during the wrapping of the last part o1 the binder on the bunch. This relative position, ot' course being adjusted at will, by adjusting` the stops 33. By this adjustment, the pressure oit the brush against the binder may be increased or diminished as required, depending upon the character of the binder used.

Frein the position shown in Fig. 8, the roller and brush travel to the lett. ln

9 the bunch shown just leaving the pocket,

part ot the binder is being drawn between the brush and roller, or more strictly between the brush and the part of the apron which covers the roller adjacent to the brush.

As above indicated, since every part of the binder leaf is required to passunder'the smoothing influence of a number of separate and individual bristle points in succession, the etlect of the action of these several independently movable bristle points is progressive and cumulative, resulting in a gradual but finally complete smoothing out of all creases and wrinkles in the binder and without the slightest danger of tearing er distorting the same. At the same time gentle but suiicient tension is exerted upon the binder at the points and to the extent required to secure an even rolling of the binder about the filler.

The smoothing out is accomplished principally in the early stages, when in the position shown in Figs. t and 8 to 10. The further function of the elements, in the position shown in Figs. 9 and l0, is to maintain smoothness and tension until the binder is completely applied to the bunch.

Where the binder leaf is unusually heavyy or stiff the stops 38 are adjusted to permita greater pressure of engagement of the contacting face of the brush upon the binder. Where the binder leaf is thin and more fragile the stops are adjusted tov secure a lighter engagement. of the brush upon the binder.

Another important feature in the method and means herein described, is that any foreign substance that may adhere to the surface of the binder is brushed and cleaned away from said surface by the engagement therewith of the several successive bristle points, without in any way injuring the surface of the binder or without pressing the said foreign substance into said surface.

What I claim is 1. In the art of cigar bunching, the method which consists in vdepositing a charge of filler in engagementwith the margin of a binder, and then bringing the binder under tension over the filler into engagement with the bunching apron with a regulatable pressure prior to the rolling operation.

2. In the art of cigarl bunching, the method which consists in depositing a charge of filler in engagement with the margin of a binder, then bringing the binder under tension over the filler and subjecting the binder to regulatable pressure exerted between a smoothing agent having a plurality of points of 'independent-ly yielding pressure and the bunching apron prior' to and during the operation of rolling the wrapper about the ller.

3. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination with a bunching table, a roller and apron7 of a smoothing element comprising a brush having a plurality of independently yielding bristles or similarV elements, forming a binder-engaging surface, means operating said lsmoothing element to engage the binder prior to and during the rolling operation, and adjustable means for controlling the pressure of said engagement.

4. In a lcigar bunching machine, the combination with a bunching table, a roller and apron, of a smoothing element comprising a brush having a plurality o-f independently yielding bristles or similar elements, forming a'binder-engaging surface, means for actuating Said smoothing element to cause the same to engage the binder .against the apron and roller prior to and during the rolling operation, and adjustable means for regulating the pressure exerted by the smoothing element against the apron and roller.

5. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination of a bunching table, a roller, a roller carriage7 an apron` and avbindersmoothing element, comprising a brush, a spring actuated brush supporting frame havingpivot and slot connection with' the roller carriage.

6. In a cigar'bunching machine, the combination of a bunching table, a roller, a roller carriage, an apron, abinder-smoothing element, comprising a brush, a spring actuated brush supporting frame having pivot and slot connection with the roller carriage and an adjustable stop for limitingsaid spring actuation.

BERNARD LIBERMAN. 

